Thursday, May 26, 2011

Classic Rock Review: Led Zeppelin I - Led Zeppelin

By Quake

Led Zeppelin I Led Zeppelin is still considered to this day the blueprint for metal music. With songs like “Heartbreaker”, “Communication Breakdown”, and “Whole Lotta Love” Most of their outlandish costumes and radical stage performances gave birth to a new genre of rock music. Heavily influenced by African American Jazz musicians, Jimmy found Robert Plant to be a perfect fit for the group, although Jimmy Page first asked Terry Reid to lead the band after leaving his former group the Yardbirds. They first toured under the name “The New Yardbirds” during their first Scandinavian tour. Please allow me to review one of the most legendary albums in Rock’s history!

Led Zeppelin: Was the first Self titled album that spawned from this group. Released on January 12, 1969, the album was a blend of blues, folk, Middle Eastern influences, with distorted amplification making this easily one of the blueprints for heavy metal bands you hear today. Completely flawless from start to finish it is simply a sin to skip a song on this album.

Track 1: “Good times Bad Times”: Was the first song on this classic album. The first thing you notice about this song is John Bonham (1948-1980 R.I.P) and his incredible drumming pattern. This is exactly why he is recognized as one of the top ten drummers on anyone’s book. If you don’t have him on your list, it’s simply not a list. Zeppelin being one of the original bands who never strayed away from their set four immediately disbanded after the tragic death of John. The only regret I have of this song is that it’s not longer.
Drumming: 5/5
Lead Guitar Solo: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Track 2: “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”: INSTANT CLASSIC, It was originally written by: Anne Bredon, but taken to the next level by Plant. No words for this song right here. It is one of those songs to get you through an addiction, or an addictive relationship. During the climax of the instrumental, you can actually feel the conflict of walking away from a habit you are use to. “I can hear it calling me the way it use to do, I can hear it calling me back home!” Lyrics like this are what is missing from today’s music. It has a dual meaning, you can refer to this as a past habit, or addiction, or an addictive break-up. Songs like this can garner the masses instead of a commercial lyric which is suppose to only be taken one direct way.
Originality: 3/5
Singing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Track 3: “You Shook Me”: On this song you can clearly hear the influence of Blues. Robert Plant is heavily influenced by African American Jazz/Blues musicians. Who were the soul reason of Rock music you hear today. The song was originally written by Blues musicians Willie Dixon and J.B. Lenior. Zeppelin also came into conflict with the recording when they heard that another singer used the famous written song on his album released months after Led Zeppelin dropped their debut album also on 1968. His name is Jeff Beck and his album was titled “Truth”.
Originality: 2/5
Singing: 5/5
Overall: 4/5

Track 4: “Dazed and Confused”: My personal favorite from the album. Originally the song is by Jake Holmes, covered by the “Yardbirds” Jimmy Page’s first band, and then taken to the next element by Led Zeppelin. The guitar solo was on another universe. Jimmy also experimented with using a violin bow during the recording and live shows which added to the marvel of the band. Jimmy changed the lyrics and melody to bypass a copyright infringement suit against it.
Originality: 3/5
Lead Guitar: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Track5: “Your Time Is Gonna Come”: According to Slash another famous guitarist, this is his favorite song off the album. The song is about deceitful woman who is going to face Karma for her actions. Jimmy Page used a Fender 10-string steel guitar during recording this song. Bassist John Paul Jones played the Organ, using a pedal to create the bass of the song.
Originality: 5/5
Singing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Track6: “Black Mountain Side”: Inspired by an Irish folk song “Down by Blackwaterside”. The arrangement of the song was learned by Al Stewart, and who, in turn, taught it to Jimmy Page who was a session musician for Stewarts debut album.
Originality: 4.5/5
Overall: 4/5

Track7: “Communication Breakdown”: A blueprint for all metal heads. This is where the sound of the genre was born. Page used a Fender Telecaster guitar for the tracks amazing riff’s. Also “Communication Breakdown” was one of the few beats where page was backing vocal during recording session.
Originality: 5/5
Singing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Track8: “I Can’t Quit You Baby”: Another beautiful blues standard song written by Willie Dixon. Reaching number 6 on the R&B charts in 1956. Led Zeppelin did a cover of this song on their debut album in 1968.

Singing: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5

Track9: “How Many More Times”: Last but surely not least. The longest song on the album but I only seem to enjoy this song in their live sessions.
Singing : 5/5
Overall : 5/5

© Quake for  Invaders Asylum™  2009-2011


Led Zeppelin I
Released Jan 12, 1969

You can listen to clips of this album @ http://discography.ledzeppelin.com/disc_lz1.html